THERE may be no rail and bus interchange, and no dramatic redevelopment of Southport station’s frontage, but there is a £3.5million overhaul under way on the other side of the ticket barriers.

Network Rail are in the process of replacing the roof over the station concourse, investing in new lighting, floor tiles, and glazed screens.

The end result, according to Network Rail, will be a station that ‘befits the gateway to one of the world’s most famous seaside resorts’.

Work has also started on new tiling for the concourse, and plans for the station include new toilets incorporating facilities for baby changing and the disabled.

All the work is expected to be completed in time for the Open golf championship.

Patrick Cawley, Network Rail’s territory buildings engineer, said: “Southport is one of the key stations for commuters in the North West, with direct services to Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester.

“As well as regular travellers, we anticipate there will be thousands more using the station when the Open Championship comes to Royal Birkdale in July 2008.”

In addition to Network Rail’s work, Merseyrail has unveiled its latest M to Go shop and British Transport Police have plans for a new police station to accommodate its Northern Line neighbourhood policing team.

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail's new Managing Director, said: “All the improvements that Network Rail and Merseyrail are funding will change Southport station beyond recognition.

“It will make a huge difference and bring the station up to the standards that our customers have a right to expect from a modern public transport network.”

The Southport Visiter recently revealed that councillors had abandoned plans to develop a promised bus interchange at the station, to instead improve existing facilities around London Street and Hoghton Street.

Cllr David Sumner, a Merseytravel board member, says the high cost of buying land back from National Car Parks and Network Rail meant that the council and Merseytravel had no option but to consider alternative plans.